43. Scheme of delegation/financial authorities

43.1. The College Dean/Director of Service is responsible for purchases within his or her College/Service. Purchasing authority may be delegated to named individuals within the College/Service. In exercising this delegated authority, budget holders are required to observe the purchasing policies and operational financial procedures.

43.2. The Director of Finance shall maintain a register of authorised signatories and College Deans/Directors of Services must supply him or her with specimen signatures of those authorised to certify invoices for payment (for paper based systems).

43.3. Under procedures agreed by the Director of Finance, central control shall be exercised over the creation of requisitioners, buyers and authorisers and their respective financial limits for electronic systems.

43.4. The Director of Finance must be notified immediately of any changes to the authorities to commit expenditure.

43.5. College Deans and Directors of Services are not authorised to commit the University to expenditure without first reserving sufficient funds to meet the purchase cost.

43.6. The member of staff (or budget holder) authorising the invoice for payment must be different from the member of staff responsible for approving the purchase order.